STYGIAN CROWN is a doom metal band from LA, California who formed in 2018. “Funeral For A King’ is their second full length album, in addition to having released a demo back in 2018. I reviewed their debut album and gave it high praise and “Funeral For A King” is going to get even more. This is the next logical step for the band and they have successfully bypassed the dreaded sophomore slump and released an album that is as good, if not better, than their strong debut.

The album is a little shorter but it makes for tight songwriting that uses every available second. Each song is full, exciting, and contains exactly what it needs. The guitar tone is fantastic—crisp and clear but still heavy as a really heavy thing. The bass exceeds much in the same way and, combined with the drums, makes for a very strong rhythm section. Nothing will break their foundation. The production is IMMENSE. It is loud and vibrant–every instrument hits hard and has a very full, live feel to it. Of course, Melissa’s vocals are a tour-de-force on their own. Hands down, she is one of the best vocalists in modern doom right now.

The album begins with the title track which also happens to be one of the best intros I have heard in some time. Intros are usually pointless for most albums because, well, they are just pointless noise. This one? It straight up rocks with killer, killer riffs and musicianship from all instruments. It lead perfectly into the next song, “Bushido.” This song is a great representation of the album as a whole and introduces us all to what the band is really about. Melissa’s vocals epic and soaring—-they are never buried beneath the mega ton doom the band is throwing out but nor are they so overpowering they take over. So many bands let the instruments over take the vocals and vice versa—not here, not on this album. STYGIAN CROWN has perfect synergy among the members.

The halfway point of the song is one of the highlights–a slow groove with skyrocketing vocals. The groove grows to a rumble underneath a clever, and shredding, guitar solo. “The Bargain” is one of my favorite songs the band has done. Slow, crushing riffs intertwined with faster paced rhythms. The hammering drums and vocals take turns piercing through the veil. There is an urgency and energy to this song that a lot of bands in doom just can’t reach. “Blood Red Eyes,” may lack the distorted intensity of its fellow tracks but that doesn’t make it any less potent or heavy. Clean keys and violin bring a classical, regal, and even tragic atmosphere. Melissa, of course, shines the brightest and gives a bone chilling performance.

The final track, “Straight Of Messina,” is another of my favorite songs, not only on the album, but from the band as a whole. The inflection in the vocals is masterful and the drums/bass combination is heavy handed yet fits in right where it should. The guitars are deep and powerful, helping to carry Melissa’s vocals across the breadth of the nearly seven minute long adventure. The tempo changes about half way through and is a natural flow from what came before it and it, likewise, flows into the later half just as seamlessly.

STYGIAN CROWN’s “Funeral For A King” will solidify the band’s place in today’s world of doom. It shows a band that still has a hunger for their style and has fun while doing it. This album makes it clear the band will only continue to go up, using this powerful release as its next stepping stone to taking over the underground.